Music festival season is in full swing in Ontario, and the signature event to cap off the summer has just announced its 17-day concert line-up. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has revealed its 2023 Bandshell headliners including new music from platinum-selling powerhouse Amanda Marshall, nine-time JUNO winning artist Jann Arden, Bollywood music icon Shafqat Amanat Ali, legendary reggae songstress Marcia Griffiths, singer-songwriter William Prince, and fellow country superstar Brett Kissel. Six-time GRAMMY-winner Dionne Warwick will headline on Saturday, August 19, to delight fans on the only Canadian stop along her North American Tour this summer.
In addition to marquee acts, this year’s CNE Bandshell will present special tribute nights and themed concerts such as a not-to-be-missed show Drag EXtravaganza starring Canada’s Drag RaceTynomi Banks featuring music, comedy, dance, fashion and fierceness. And, in celebration of 50 years of hip hop, Toronto’s own Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, and Polaris Prize rapper Haviah Mighty will bring down the house with classic hip hop anthems that have shaped popular culture through the decades. All CNE Bandshell concerts are FREE with CNE admission.
CLICK HERE for 2023 Bandshell Line-Up Video/B-Roll
Also marking its 50th anniversary is the release of Pink Floyd’s record-breaking album, The Dark Side of the Moon, that spent nearly 1000 consecutive weeks on the Billboard charts. Since forming in 1965, and performing their first concert in Toronto in 1973, there has been a renewed interest in the band’s music, history, and influence. The renaissance will come alive as tribute band, Classic Albums Live, will perform songs from Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon album on the Bandshell Stage on Saturday, September 2.
And by popular demand, The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains, co-produced by S2BN Entertainment and the CNEA, have announced that the retrospective exhibition will be extended in Toronto through to September 4, 2023. The 20,000 sq.ft. indoor exhibition at the Better Living Centre, adjacent to the Bandshell Stage, takes visitors on an audio-visual journey chronicling the history and legacy of Pink Floyd; featuring more than 350 artifacts including handwritten lyrics, instruments, videos and artwork, and items from the band’s personal collections.
A new release of tickets to The Pink Floyd Exhibition in Toronto are available now at www.pinkfloydexhibition.com and www.theex.com. Tickets purchased to attend The Pink Floyd Exhibition during the CNE dates of August 18th to September 4th will include complimentary admission to the Fair.
2023 CNE Bandshell Concert Series Headliners:
· Friday, August 18 – Dwayne Gretzky
· Saturday, August 19 – Dionne Warwick
· Sunday, August 20 - Shafqat Amanat Ali
· Monday, August 21 – William Prince
· Tuesday, August 22 – Kim Mitchell
· Wednesday, August 23 – Double Show! 6PM: Stephen Ridley headlines; 8PM: Amanda Marshall headlines
· Thursday, August 24 – Marcia Griffiths
· Friday, August 25 – “Hip Hop 50” ft. Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, and Haviah Mighty
· Saturday, August 26 – Jann Arden
· Sunday, August 27 – LOLO / MICO
· Monday, August 28 – A Flock of Seagulls
· Tuesday, August 29 – Drag EXtravaganza starring Tynomi Banks with Mo Heart, Ivory Towers, Jan Sport, and more
· Wednesday, August 30 – The Washboard Union
· Thursday, August 31 – Dr. Jay
· Friday, September 1 – The Sheepdogs
· Saturday, September 2 – Classic Albums Live tribute to Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon
· Sunday, September 3 – Brett Kissel
· Monday, September 4 – Labour Day (No Concert)
CNE TICKETS: Concerts are FREE with CNE Admission.
$20: Advance CNE General Admission Ticket (purchased by August 17)
$25: Regular CNE General Admission Ticket (starting August 18)
*2023 CNE general admission tickets purchased through TheEx.com, retail partners, and in-person at the CNE gates, do not include admission to The Pink Floyd Exhibition. Visitors can upgrade their CNE tickets on-site for admission to The Pink Floyd Exhibition, or purchase Pink Floyd Exhibition tickets (incl. CNE admission) directly through www.pinkfloydexhibition.com or www.theex.com.